Elminster: The Making of a Mage: Forgotten Realms: Elminster, Book 1

In ancient days, sorcerers sought to learn the One True Spell that would give them power over all the world and understanding of all magic.... The One True Spell was a woman, and her name was Mystra - and her kisses were wonderful. It is the time before Myth Drannor, when the Heartlands are home to barbarians, and wicked dragons rule the skies. In these ancient days, Elminster is but a shepherd boy, dreaming of adventure and heroics. When a dragon-riding magelord sweeps down upon him, though, the boy is thrust into a world of harsh realities, corrupt rulers, and evil sorcerers.

Darkwalker on Moonshae: Forgotten Realms: Moonshae Trilogy, Book 1

Kazgoroth, the Beast, has come into the world to destroy the power of the Earthmother. Changing its shape as needs be, the Beast goes across the island of Gwynneth, corrupting everything in its way. Its destination is a large gathering of Northmen raiders at Oman's Isle, in the middle of the Moonshaes, where they are preparing an assault on the kingdom of Corwell. The Northmen don't realize yet that this is going to be more than just a plundering raid.

Shadowdale: Forgotten Realms: The Avatar, Book 1

When the gods are banished from the heavens, they must travel through Faern in the guise of mortals. When four companions, last survivors of the Company of the Lynx, find themselves in possession of a mysterious amulet, they must escape death at the hand of Bane, god of murder. When magic itself runs wild, no one can say that the most innocent of spells will not destroy the world.

Spellfire: Forgotten Realms: Shandril's Saga, Book 1

It can lay low a dragon or heal a wounded warrior. It is the most sought-after magical power in all Faern. And it is in the reluctant hands of Shandril of Highmoon, a young, orphaned kitchen-lass. Now she's on the run from half of the evil sorcerers in the land, not to mention their relentless minions. But with the help of a handsome young wizard, some rough-and-tumble Knights of Myth Drannor, and a certain old mage of Shadowdale, she just might manage to stay alive. At least until tomorrow.

The Devil You Know: A Brimstone Angels Novel

Before Farideh took a devil's pact, before she was Chosen by the god-king of the Hells, before any of this started, there was Bryseis Kakistos, the original Brimstone Angel, first of Farideh's line. Now, at the end, there is also Bryseis Kakistos - but this time, instead of helping the king of the Hells achieve godhood, she's going to kill him. All she needs is a little help from Farideh - which she should, by all accounts, be happy to give. After all, who could object to killing the king of the Hells?

Hero: Legend of Drizzt: Homecoming, Book III

Something akin to peace has come to the Underdark. The demon hordes have receded, and now the matron mothers argue over the fate of Drizzt Do'Urden. Even so, it becomes clear to one matriarch after another that while the renegade drow may come and go, Menzoberranzan, the City of Spiders, will crawl forever on. And so Drizzt is free to return to his home on the surface once again. Scores are settled as lives are cut short, yet other lives move on. For the lone drow, there is only a single final quest: a search for peace, for family, for home.

The Parched Sea: Forgotten Realms: The Harpers, Book 1

Dermined to drive a trade route through Anauroch, the Zhentarim have sent an army to enslave the fierce nomads of the great desert. As tribe after tribe fall to the intruders, only a single woman, Rhua, sees the true danger - but what sheik will heed the advice of an outcast witch? Ruha finds help from an unexpected source. The Harpers, guardians of liberty throughout the Realms, have sent an agent to counter the Zhentarim. If she can help this stranger win the trust of the sheikhs, perhaps he can overcome the tribes’ ancestral rivalries and drive the invaders from the desert.

Finder's Bane: Forgotten Realms: Lost Gods, Book 1

When Joel became a priest of the new god Finder, he knew it meant forfeiting the honor and security of his position as a master bard. Now his freedom and his very life are at stake as powers of evil embroil the priests of Finder in a struggle against a plot to resurrect the dead god Bane. With his only allies the young freedom fighter Holly Harrowslough, the mysterious winged woman Jas, and the aging priest Jedidiah, Joel embarks on a mission to recover the Hand of Bane. His quest leads him from the Realms all the way to the extra-planar city of Sigil.

Homeland: Legend of Drizzt: Dark Elf Trilogy, Book 1

This stunning new release of the classic R.A. Salvatore novel recounts the origins of Salvatore's signature dark elf character, Drizzt Do'Urden. This title kicks off The Legend of Drizzt series, which will showcase the classic dark elf novels in these new audiobook editions.

Canticle: Forgotten Realms The Cleric Quintet Book 1

High in the Snowflake Mountains sits the Edificant Library, a place of scholarly study for priests, bards, and others. Now from the hidden vaults beneath the library a devastating curse is unleashed, and a young cleric must battle the terrifying creatures set loose by a malevolent, consuming essence that's been released, before his own brethren turn against him. Cadderly must put his studies to the test and enter the catacombs far below to save his brothers and himself.

The Demon Awakens: Book I of the DemonWars Saga

A great evil has awakened in the land of Corona, a terrible demon determined to spread death and misery. His goblin armies and fearsome giants ravage the settlements of the frontier, and in the small village of Dundallis their merciless attack leaves behind two shattered orphans: Pony and her lifelong friend, the youth Elbryan. Taken in by elves, Elbryan is raised to become a formidable ranger - a fateful role that will lead him into harrowing confrontation.

Publisher's Summary

She is a sell-sword, a warrior-for-hire, and an adventuress. She awoke with a series of twisting, magical blue sigils inscribed on her arms and no memory of where she got them.

Determined to learn the nature of the mysterious tattoo, Alias joins forces with an unlikely group of companions: the halfling bard, Ruskettle, the southern mage, Akabar, and the oddly silent lizard-man, Dragonbait. With their help, she discovers that the symbols hold the key to her very existence.

But those responsible for the sigils aren't keen on Alias's continued good health. And if the five evil masters find her first, she may discover all too soon their hideous secret.

The main character wakes in a tavern inn with tattooed arms and no clue why and what happened. Now she thinks of it, she only has hazy memories of the past year. She doesn’t know what the hell and been going on but is darn sure gonna find out, who branded her and why. She sets out, one adventure leads to the next, is joined by some interesting characters for their own various reasons along the way, until we finally find out. This is the first in a series but good as a stand-alone novel. We have something lizard man like, a singing thief grafter or bard, merchant trading company wizard, a dragon, a calmari, and all sorts of encounters from upper middle class engagement party, to mountain passes and caves, etc.

What I liked so much about this book is that it starts simple, both as to characters and story scope, and then grows as you go, so that I bought it. I felt like I got to know them so they had a less lame and more genuine feel to them. I was not rolling my eyes as the authors tried to make me their characters’ psychiatrist, and having them and their “stuff” deluged onto me and me hoping I had some dry towels.

It had a much more Connan the Barbarian feel to it than Lord of the Rings, which is what a D&D novel should be IMHO. Opinions vary but to me: Fantasy is for LOTR types and D&D for CTB types of stories. Otherwise why bother having two different genera or looking in one instead of the other to find the kind of story you want if their content is the same? I think of it this way: if the whopper were a big mac but with a different name, then burger king would never have taken off.

SERIES INFO:This is Book #1 of 4 that include these characters. The "Finder's Stone" trilogy plus Masquerades (which is apparently "The Harpers" #10, but I haven't read any of those and wasn't lost at all).

SUMMARY:I received this book many years ago as a birthday gift. I was a bit mystified as to the selection. I had only ever played a role playing game once, and not with the person who gave me the book. It's not that I disliked it, but as an unsocial bookworm I would rather be reading. I decided to give it a chance anyway, since the story sounded interesting, and I have read it many times since. When the audiobook came out a few years back, I snatched up almost immediately. I have tried others that are similar, even by the same author, and never found one I liked as much.

This book isn't perfect, and it isn't deep; but I love the characters & the writing, and I listen to it frequently. So it fully deserves my 5* RATING. I also recognize that it might not be for everyone.

Regarding the cover: That outfit wasn’t something she was wearing by choice, and it’s impracticality is specifically called out in the book (which made me smile).

CHARACTERS:Alias of Westgate: She has missing memories, memories that don't match other people's, and a talent for singing songs that no one else has ever heard of. She's hot tempered & stubborn and completely loyal.

Dragonbait: Nobody knows what he is, other than good with his strange sword. He sticks tight to Alias.

Akabar bel Akash: Bound and determined to prove he's not a "greengrocer" (i.e. non-adventurer). Frequently touts his skill as a mage "of no small water," but is inwardly uncertain of his worth on this quest.

Olive Ruskettle: Mostly just out for herself; her asides on the habits of humans are neverthelee very funny.

Characters from other books that get cameos: King Azoun IV & Vangerdahast / Elminster / Mourngrym / Finder Wyvernspur (there may be more, but I'm not that familiar with the world)

WORLDBUILDING:Because this book is part of an existing world, which has been widely explored through games & books, the authors had a rich background to draw upon. I hadn't read any FR before this one, so I didn't know all the background; but I never really felt lost. What needed to be explained was, and the rest just lent depth.

In addition to the various types of characters in our main group, we have priests, sages, dragons, innkeepers, assassins, gods, demons, sorcerers, paladins, and many other types of standard fantasy peoples & creatures.

Note: One of the things I miss when listening to an audiobook is the map that many Fantasy books, including this one, have. If you decide to listen to this book, you can find a good map here . (You want to be looking at the portions in the center right, to the south & east of the big desert in the top center.)

PLOT:The book drew me in from the very beginning. I loved the writing and the mystery presented. From there it becomes a standard quest tale as Alias seeks to understand what has happened to her. There is lots of action and plenty of more thoughtful character moments.

Although there are a couple more books with these characters, this one comes to a full stop with very few unanswered questions. Alias isn't even in the next one, but she comes back in #3.

HIGHLIGHTS / CAUTIONS:

--Dragonbait gets his name

--A good number of my favorite bits take place while they are in Yulash, including the stuff in the temple of Moander and the encounter with an old foe

--Olive alone, having to decide if she is going to go evil or just stick with being bad.

I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: Moderate swearing / I have problems with character who are thieves, especially those who steal from their companions

OTHER CAUTIONS(?): Akabar is from a "southern" culture that practices polygamy. He already has two wives and they are looking for a third.

NARRATION:Character voices differentiated = Yes / Opposite sex voices acceptable = Yes / Accents good = Yes, she does a good job of devising different accents for people from various fictional regions / Phrasing, Pacing & Pronunciation = Good / Emoting = Good, the non-dialog parts are a bit flat though / Speed = just a touch slow; I listen on regular speed rather than my 1.25, but occasionally bump it up

Book-aholic and Craft-aholic. I have a great variety interests of when it comes to books and crafts. I have a very open mind when it comes to books, music, gardening and crafts. So I may go on tangent of topic , but it does change genera so you will find out my views on many subjects though it is seldom I am a black and white but more of a grey person, depending on the subject.

This is an excellent introduction to the world of forgotten realms. The story flows easily and has a twist you don't expect in a fantasy novel.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Amazon Customer

9/29/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Worth a listen"

Story is pretty good, 1-2 interesting characters and voice actress was very good. Likely to get next book.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

r1Pped

9/3/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Loved it"

It's been quite a few years since I had last picked this book up. When I had noticed it on here, I could not resist to pick it up again. So glad I did.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

The Wolf

Glasgow

5/2/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Fun fantasy tale."

I first read this book a long time ago when I was a teenager. So, probably about 25 years or so ago. At the time I thought it was great, so when I saw it listed on Audible I thought it'd be worth a listen.This is one of the old-school, 80's American fantasy novels a la Dragonlance and, as such, it's aimed more at young adults than the likes of Game of Thrones. This is no bad thing in itself but some fantasy fans new to the genre might find this kind of book a little twee.I was happy to find myself enjoying the tale, which is a good one no matter what age you are, and the characters and events were interesting enough to keep me listening right to the end. I'll buy the second book in the series too at some point, no doubt.Dragons, magic, sword fights, friendship, a dangerous quest - it's all here and the fact it's aimed at teens means there's some light humour and nothing gets too dark or depressing. The narrator is okay without being either brilliant or annoying.

Heartily recommended.

Steven A. McKay, author of "Knight of the Cross"

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